Kirsty Paterson

The answer might be found in a new survey that shows four in ten British drivers are too lazy or too busy to clean their own cars – although it seems Scots are much more likely to reach for the sponge and bucket than those in other parts of the country.

While only 42 per cent of Londoners clean their own cars, in Scotland the tradition is still fairly strong with more than two-thirds (68 per cent) saying they wash their own cars.

The survey carried out by AA Cars, the AA’s used car portal, also found that men (61 per cent) are more likely than women (49 per cent) to insist on cleaning their own cars.

And almost a quarter (22%) of car owners polled now use a pop-up hand car wash, which can often be found on a supermarket or major out-of-town retailer car park. The convenience means customers can do the weekly shop and have their car cleaned at the same time.

The AA-Populus poll, which canvassed 19,619 AA members on how often they clean their cars, and the methods most frequently used, also revealed that fewer professionals (54%) wash their own cars compared to semi-skilled and manual workers (63%).

And the gender difference is even more marked with close to two-thirds of men (61%) claiming to do a DIY bucket and sponge job, or home pressure washer, compared to just 49% of women who preferred to pay to have their cars washed.

But the survey also showed that just one in ten (10%) respondents give their car a clean on the outside once a week, with only 29% admitting they only gave their vehicle a wash once every few months.

Paul Yates, Managing Director of AA Cars, said: “The further you move away from London, the more willing it seems people are to get stuck in themselves and clean their cars. Whether it’s life getting in the way, or just laziness, many Londoners have no inclination to wash their vehicles.

“The British tradition of washing our cars at the weekend does seem to be dying though. Across the UK, 32% of car owners now outsource the job, with around a third of these opting for an automatic car wash.

“Obvious as it may sound, cleaning your car is a prerequisite if you’re looking to sell. Advertising a dirty vehicle is a sure-fire way to give potential buyers the wrong impression – that you’re willing to cut corners.”